Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul, “came to Ephesus, and left” those with him “there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not. But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul, “went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia” where we read:
And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
The verse reads, “And after he had spent some time there, he departed, ...” Luke began with the words, “and after he had spent some time there” which means “and following a little time that Paul stayed in Antioch”, “he departed” or “Paul left and separated himself from the people there”. Luke shared how “Paul” stayed in “Antioch” for a while and then left.
The verse goes on to say, “... and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.” Luke continued with the words, “and went over all the country” or “and passed through, journeyed and traveled to each, every, the whole and everywhere within the region, tract and territory” “of Galatia” which means “belonging to Galatia whose name means white such as the color of milk and was an ancient area in the highlands of central Anatolia, roughly corresponding to the provinces of Ankara and Eskişehir in modern Turkey” “and Phrygia” whose name means “dry or barren and was a region in Asia Minor bounded by Bithynia, Galatia, Lycaonia, Pisidia, Lydia, Mysia and it contained the cities of Laodicea, Hierapolis and Colosse” “in order” which means “successively and one after another”, “strengthening all the disciples” or “rendering more firm, confirming and reestablishing each, every, the whole and everyone of the students, pupils and attendants” of Jesus Christ. Luke shared how “Paul” continued his travels by journeying successively about the entire “territory” of “Galatia” and “Phrygia”, and he “confirmed and reestablished” the “Christians” who were in those places.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” remained in “Antioch” for a while, but afterward departed and traveled to the areas of “Galatia and Phrygia” to confirm the believers in those areas. “Paul” was being used by the Lord to share His gospel of salvation through His Son Jesus, and he was confirming the ones who received Him as their “Lord and Savior”. God loves people, and His desire is for them to receive His Son Jesus to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. He continues to relate to them through His Holy Spirit, and He will employ them in His Kingdom to share His “good news” with others who have not heard. “Paul” followed the leading of God to share His gospel with the world, and those who are wise will yield to Jesus and submit themselves to His leading.
Next time Luke shares how, “a certain Jew named Apollos … came to Ephesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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